A number of options and upgrades have been announced for the range of SLX ProTurn lathes offered by Burlescombe-based XYZ Machine Tools Ltd (www.xyzmachinetools.com).

The largest machine in the range — the 3m-bed SLX 555, with its 560mm swing over the bed, 104mm spindle bore and 3,000mm between centres — now features a single door for accessing the working area.

This makes it much easier for operators to access the entire bed length.

SLX ProTurn lathes also have available a number of productivity-boosting options, including a four- or eight-position auto-indexing tool-post to replace the standard quick-change system.

The eight-position option features a cycloidal zero-backlash drive system featuring an absolute position encoder, with the turret locked in position by a Hirth coupling.

For those undertaking larger-diameter drilling work, the SLX range can now be fitted with a drilling attachment that sits on the machine cross slide.

By drilling directly from the cross slide rather than the tool-post, users can maximise the potential of the latest drilling tools, at the same time reducing stress on the tool-post and releasing positions for turning and boring tools.